Sir Howard Bernstein has taken over from Lord Heseltine as patron of the Institute for Economic Development, the membership body of economic development and regeneration practitioners.

The role is unpaid, and adds to the positions Bernstein has taken on since stepping down as chief executive of Manchester City Council in March this year. In April he joined Deloitte, working seven days a month in a strategic advisory role.

He has also taken on a role with the University of Manchester, advising on government interactions, and is chairing the development committee for the redevelopment of Manchester Jewish Museum.

At the start of November, he was appointed as a strategic development advisor by City Football Group, parent company of Manchester City FC.

Speaking of his new role at the IED, Bernstein said: “The IED provides exceptional support as the UK’s leading professional body representing economic development and regeneration practitioners working for local and regional communities.

“It provides counsel to its members on issues that I am deeply passionate about, such as local and regional authority development, economic and infrastructure regeneration and place management. I hope to support the IED’s organisational development to benefit its members, which in turn an impact on those working ‘on the ground’ in local government.”

IED chair Bev Hurley said: “I would formally like to thank Lord Heseltine for his support and encouragement and to welcome Sir Howard Bernstein. Sir Howard is hugely respected for his achievements in local government and his strategic input to the IED’s development will be invaluable. We are extremely fortunate to have such a prestigious and knowledgeable successor to help us thrive in the years to come.”